Switch box



Nov.. 25,1930. V c. NEWMAN ET AL. 1,782,545

' SWITCH Box 1 Filed July 2.3,4 1925 finali loif,

` JMA?. @VMM Patented Nov. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES CHARLES NEWMAN, Ol" NEW YORK, N. Y., AND ERNST G. APPLETON, OF CHICAGO,

PATENT OFFICE ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO ROACH-APPLETON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS SWITCH :BOX

Application led July 23, 1926. Serial No. 124,327.

The present invention relates to switch boxes.

More particularly the present invention relates to switch boxes of the type which are secured to the studding of buildings. The present invention will be described in connection with a switch box of commercial type.

An object of the present invention is to provide a'n improved switch box having im proved means for gauging said box and providing efficient plaster keys.

A further object is to provide a switch box which, while meeting the needs of commercial operation with improved eiciency over prior devices, is, nevertheless, no more expensive to manufacture.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a view in front elevationofa switch box mounted upon a piece of studdin igure 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1, the studding being shown in fragmentary sectional view.

Figures 3 and 4 areV sectional views taken alon the planes 33 and 4-4 of Figure 1, said igures 3 and 4 illustrating different positions of the switch box relative to the stud ding; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 5-5 of Figure 2.

The numeral 1 indicates a receptacle having attached to one side thereof the lath supporting member 2, which member provides a groove for supporting the adjacent ends of laths. Said member 2 is provided with the end portions 2a- 'l having a function which will be referred to hereinafter. Secured to the other side of the receptacle 1 is the plate 3, which plate is adapted to lie flat against the forward face of a stud 'or joist 4. Said plate 3 may be of rectangular conformation and may be provided with the holes 5--5 spaced a short distance from the receptacle 1, whereby said holes may receive nails driven into the stud 4 when said receptacle 1 is disposed in close proximity to the stud 4 as shown, for example, in Figure 3. Said plate 3 is provided near its outer extremity with the holes 6-6, which may be used when the receptacle 1 is disposed in position at a relatively great distance from the stud 4, as indicated, for example, in Figure 4. Nail holes 7 7 are also provided intermediate of holes 5 and 6 for receiving nails driven into the stud 4 when the receptacle 1 is disposed in a position intermediate of those shown in Figures 3 and 4, as, for example, the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The nail hole 8 may also be provided for receiving a nail to be driven into the stud 4 for extra security when the receptacle is positioned in regions such as indicated in Figures 2 and 4.

Projecting from the rear ofthe plate 3 are a plurality of sets of tines, which tines have the alternative functions of providing gauges or providing fastening points for securing the plate 3 to a stud temporarily prior to the insertion of nails through the nail holes above referred to. Of the tines above referred to, a pair indicated by the numerals 9-9 are disposed equi-distant from the receptacle 1. Said tines 9-9 are spaced from the receptacle 1 at such a distance that when the plate 3 is disposed upon the outer face of a stud 4 of ordinary dimensions with the receptacle 1 adjacent to the side of said stud, said tines 99 will be in position to be driven into said stud, as indicated in Figure 3. Spaced at a greater distance from the receptacle 1 are the tines 10--10, spaced from the tines 9--9 a distance materially less than the width of `the ordinary stud, whereby when the tines 9 9 are used as gauges, as in Figures 1 and 2, said tines 10-10 are in position to be driven into the material of the stud. Inasmuch as said tines 9-9 and 10-10 are struck from the plate 3, their width is equal to the thickness of said plate 3. Expressed in other language, the dimensions of each of said tines in a direction normal to the adjacent side of the switch box is substantially equal to the thickness of said plate.

The numerals 11--11 indicate members struck out from the forward face ofthe plate Said members 11--11 constitute plaster eys.

Laths which are secured to'adjacent studs 4 are indicated by the numerals 12-12. Laths 13-13 lie intermediate of the laths 12-12, and said laths 13--13 may not (by reason of the switch box l) be secured to a stud 4 at their extremities adjacent to said switch box 1. Said extremities of the laths 13--13 are seated within the groove provided by the member 2. By reason of the engagement oi' the end portions 2"-2fl of the member 2 with the laths 12-12, the switch box is securely anchored in place even though only the outer extren'iity of the plate 3 is in contact with the stud 4.

lnasnluch as studs are ordinarily of standard width, two inches being the common size, switch. boxes employing the improvements above described may be stocked by jobbers and dealers in very large quantities.

Vlien the worklnan goes about the job of mounting the switch box comprising the receptacle 1, the member 2, and the plate 3, which switch box is, of course, handled as a unit, he lnay have a choice of three gauged positions for locating said plate 3 relative to the stud 4, which gauged positions are in; dicated in Figures 2, 3, and 4. If the Workman desires to position the receptacle 2 at Y a. distance from the stud 4 such as indicated in Figure 2, he may place the tines 9-9 against the side of the stud and strike the plate 3 with a hammer blow or blows to drive the tines 10-10 into the material of blows in position to drive the tines 9-9 into the stud 4, as shown in Figure 3.

If the workman desires to position the receptacle 1 at a relatively great distance from the stud 4, he may gauge same by placing the tines 10-10 against the side of the joist and, while holding the tines in this position, may drive nails through the nail holes 6 6 and 8. It will be understood, of course, that the workman may choose other positions intermediate of the gauged positions shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4 if he desires.

It will be understood, of course, that the extremities of the member 2 will have locking engagement with solid lath at the top and bottom, this being well known practice, so that in all the positions of the plate 3 above reerred to, the switch box will be securely eld.

In applying the plaster to the laths adjacent to the receptacle 1 and to the plate 3,

said plaster will key itself behind the plaster keys 11-11, whereby an eliicient job of plastering may be accomplished.

Though a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it will be understood that many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended y 2. A .switch box including .a receptacle, an

'attaching plate secured to said receptacle onl a side thereof. said attaching plate having a pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate, said tines being equi-spaced from said receptacle and adapted to serve alternatively as temporary attaching means or as gauges, and a second pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate, said second pair of tines be- .ing equi-spaced from said receptacle, saidplate having plaster keys struck from the forward face thereof.

3. A switch box including a receptacle, an attaching'plate secured to said receptacle on a side thereof, said attaching plate having a pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate, said tines being equi-spaced from said receptacle and adapted to serve alternatively as temporary attaching means or as gauges..

and a second pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate, said second pair of tines being equi-spaced from said receptacle, said plate having nail holes spaced, respectively, from said receptacle, sald first mentioned pair of tines and said second mentioned pair of tines a distance less than the width of an ordinary wall stud.

4. A switch box including a receptacle, an attaching plate secured to said receptacle on a side thereof, said attaching plate having a pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate` said tines being equi-spaced from said receptacle and adapted to serve alternativel as temporary attaching means o as gauges, and a second pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate. said 'second pair of tines be- .ing equi-spaced from said receptacle, said plate having nail holes spa-ced, respectively. from said receptacle, said first mentioned pair of tines and said second mentioned pair of tines a distance less than the width of an ordinary wall stud, said plate having plaster keys struck from the forward face thereof.

5. A Switch box including a receptacle, an

till

att-aching plate secured to said receptacle on a side thereof, said attaching plate having a pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate, said tines being equi-spaced from said receptacle and adapted to serve alternatively as temporary attaching means or as gauges, and a second pair of tines struck rearwardly from said plate. said second pair of tines being equi-spaced from said receptacle, said plate having plaster keys struck from the forward face thereof, said tines being spaced ing equi-spaced from saidl receptacle, said.

plate having nail holes spaced, respectively, from said receptacle, said first mentioned pair of tines and said second mentioned pair of tines a. distance less than the width of an ordinary wall stud, said plate having plaster keys struck from the forward face thereof, said nail holes and said tines being spaced from said plaster keys whereby plaster eX- tending through said nail holes and the nails provided by said tines will effectively supplement the plaster holding functions of said plaster keys.

Signed at New York, New York, by CHARLES NEWMAN, this 15 day of July, 1926, and by ERNST G. APrLn'roN, at Chicago, illinois, this 20th day of July, 1926.

CHARLES NEVMAN.

ERNST Gr. APPLETON. 

